Packaging machines



Sept. 8, 1959 H. MAxEY ETAI- PACKAGING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 Sept. 8, 1959 Filed Feb. 10. 1958 H. l. MAxEY ETAL 2,902,812

PACKAGING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTORS HILLIS l. MAX EY ORVILLE G. STElNERT AND REGIS J. CLOUGHERTY ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1959 H. MAXI-:Y ETAL 2,902,812

PACKAGING 'MACHINES Filed Feb. 10, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS HILLIS LMAXEY ORVILLE G. STEINERT AND REGIS J. CLOUGHERTY ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1,959

Filed Feb. 10, 1958 H. l. MAXEY EFP-|- PACKAGING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 8, 1959 H. MAxEY Erm.

PACKAGING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 FIG. 8

INVENTORS HlLLlS l. MAX EY ORVILLE G. STEINERT AND REGIS J. CLOUGHERTY ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1959 H. MAXEY ETAI- 2,992,812

PACKAGING MACHINES Filed Feb. l0, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 JJ als als 212 22o 253 L)T ,Wzsm

zas -*\\223 NvENToRs HILLIS l. MAXEY ORVlLLE G. STEINERT AND REGIS J. CLOUGHERTY AT TORN EYS United States Patent Otiiiee 2,902,812 Patented Sept. 8, 1959 PACKAGING MACHINES Hillis I. Maxey and Orville G. Steinert, Enid, Okla., and Regis J. Clougherty, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to The Pillsbury Company, a corporation of Delaware Application February 10, `1958, Serial No. 714,440

12 Claims. (Cl. S3-385) The herein disclosed invention relates to packaging machines and particularly to a machine for use with at tube Satchel bottom bags.

An object of the invention resides in providing a construction in which the bags are opened and delivered to a conveyor having an endless carrier and by means of which the opened bags are conveyed to a station where the bags are filled and subsequently sealed.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the conveyor with an endless carrier having bag holders mounted thereon and spaced longitudinally to form bag holding spaces therebetween and in forming said holders with oppositely facing V-grooves defining said spaces.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing said conveyor with a vertical shaft having a rotary member thereon over which the carrier passes and serving to cause the holders to diverge while the carrier passes about said rotary member and in introducing the bags into said spaces while the holders are in diverging relation.

An object of the invention resides in providing a chute, situated above the carrier and located adjacent the rotary member and receiving the bags and delivering the same to the conveyor.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a magazine for folded bags disposed adjacent the chute and in further providing transfer means for transferring the bags from the magazine to the chute.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the transfer means with a swinging arm having at the end thereof a suction cup movable from the magazine to the chute.

An object of the invention resides in providing bag opening and discharging means for opening the bags and discharging the same into the chute and to the conveyor.

A feature of the invention resides in utilizing cornpressed air to operate both the bag opening means and the discharging means.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a swinging gate movable in the path of the swinging arm for limiting the lateral opening of the bags prior to insertion into the chute.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a normally inoperable transmission adapted on operation to impart to the conveyor a step by step movement and contemporaneously therewith to actuate the bag opening and discharge device and the transfer device to deposit within the bag holders of the conveyor one bag for each step of movement of the conveyor.

An object of the invention resides in providing a safety device operated upon insertion of a bag into a bag holder for initiating movement of the conveyor to present the following bag holder beneath the chute.

Another object of the invention resides in providing electrical circuits for coordinating the various movements of the parts of the invention.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view with portions broken away of a packaging machine illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a right end elevational View of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational-sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 4 drawn to a greater scale and taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational-sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan sectional View taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 3 and drawn to a greater scale.

Fig. 8 is an elevational-sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 7 taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7 and drawn to the same scale.

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the invention.

The invention consists of a frame A which carries a conveyor B and which supports the bags and conveys them from the receiving station past the filling station and to a delivery station. A chute C carried by the frame A receives the bags and directs them to the conveyor. The stacked folded bags are mounted on a magazine D and a transfer device E transfers the bags from the magazine D and to a position over the chute C. While at such position, the bag opening and discharge device F opens the bags and discharges them from the chute and to the conveyor B.

These parts will now be described in detail.

The invention is supported on the frame A which consists of longitudinal frame members 12, 13, 14, 111, 112, 113 and 114 and transverse frame members 116, 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121 connected thereto. These frame members are supported on legs which rest on the supporting surface for the machine. The various parts may be welded or secured together in any other suitable manner.

The conveyor B consists of a carrier 16 which comprises two chains 17 and 18. These chains pass over sprocket wheels 20, 21, 22 and 23 which are mounted on vertical shafts 24, 25, 26 and 27. The shaft 24 is journaled in bearings 28 mounted on plates 29 attached to one of the legs 110 and to an upright 109 secured to the transverse frame member 121 of frame A. Shaft 25 is also journaled in bearings 3i? also mounted on the plates 29. The bearings 28 are adjustable with respect to said plates to take up slack caused by wear in the chains 17 and 18. For the purpose, said plates are provided with slots 19 and bolts 130 passing through said bearings and slots secure the bearings in adjusted position. The shaft 27 is similarly mounted in bearings 31 attached to plates 32 which are welded to one of the posts 110 of the frame A. Shaft 26 is mounted for rotation in bearings 140 which are attached to the cross frame members 11'7 and 118.

Attached to the frame A immediately below the chute C and the chain 18 of the conveyor B is a table 15. This table may be rigidly attached to said frame or the same may be mounted for vibratory movement to cause packing of the material handled.

Issuing outwardly from certain of the links of the chain 17 are arms 40 which are constructed of sheet metal and, similarly, issuing outwardly from the underlying links of the chain 18 are arms 41. These arms are formed with registering oppositely facing V-shaped notches 42 and 43 whose reentrant angles extend outwardly from said arms. Received in these notches are bag engaging plates 38 and 39 which are V-shaped in form and which are secured to said arms. These plates are constructed of sheet metal bent into V-shaped form and provide V-shaped grooves 46 whose vertexes 47 extend in a vertical direction. By means of this construction, spaces 48 are provided between tne facing grooves 46 of the plates on adjoining arms 40 and 41 and defined by said grooves. The plates 38 attached to one edge of each of the arms 40 and 41 cooperate with the plates 39 of the adjacent arms and form bag holders indicated by the reference numeral 44. Only a few of the arms 40 and 41 with the attached bag holders 44 have been shown in the drawings to simplify illustration, though it will be readily comprehended that the same are equally spaced and extend throughout the entire length of the carrier. As the carrier passes over the sprocket wheels 24, the adjacent arms 40 and 41 diverge with reference to one another and thus increase the length of the spaces 48.

The conveyor B and the other mechanism of the invention is driven from an electric motor 138 having a vertically disposed shaft 139. This motor is bolted to the frame A by means of bolts 141. The shaft 139 has mounted on it a sprocket wheel 142. A chain 143 passes over this sprocket Wheel and another sprocket wheel 144 fast on a countershaft 145. This countershaft is journaled in bearings 146 attached to cross frame members 197 and 147 which in turn are secured to the longitudinal frame members 111 and 113 and 112 and 114. This shaft has mounted on it a smaller sprocket Wheel 148 which is disposed above the sprocket wheel 144. A chain 149 passes over the sprocket wheel 148 and over another sprocket wheel 151 on a second countershaft 131. This countershaft is journaled in bearings 132 secured to the transverse frame members 120 and 121. The shaft 131 has rotatably mounted on it a spur pinion 129 which meshes with a spur gear 128 fast on the shaft 25. The spur pinion 129 is driven by a one-revolution clutch 152 to be presently described in detail and which, when actuated, gives the conveyor B a step by step movement advancing the same so that one bag at a time is deposited between the holders 44 as the conveyor is advanced.

The chute C, best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is hoppershaped in form having side walls 50 and 51 and end walls 52 and 53. The chute is open at both the top and bottom, the walls of the said chute converge toward the bottom to make the opening in the top larger than that in the bottom. The end walls 52 and S3 are also made V-shaped in form to receive the bags for a purpose which will subsequently appear. At the lowermost portion of the chute C. the end wall 53 is formed with an opening 54 which is closed by means of doors 55 hingedly connected to the wall 50. A guard 71 extends upwardly from the rear wall 51 of said chute.

The chute C is supported on an auxiliary frame 56 which consists of three uprights 57, 58 and 59 connected together at their lower ends by means of a longitudinal frame member 60 and a transverse frame member 61. The uprights 59 and 57 are connected together at their upper and lower ends by means of diagonal frame members 63 and 64. The longitudinal frame member 60 eX- tends outwardly beyond the upright 58 and overlies the frame member 14 of frame A. This portion of said frame member is bolted to the frame member 14 by means of bolts 65. A clip angle 66 attached to the transverse frame member 61 is bolted to the frame member 117 of frame A by means of a bolt 67. The chute C is attached to the frame 56 by means of a bracket 68 which is welded to the said chute and which overlies the upright 58 and is secured thereto by means of bolts 69.

The folded bags are disposed in the magazine D which is best shown in Figs. l and 2. This magazine consists of three U-shaped frame members 72, 73 and 74 which are constructed with upstanding legs 75 and connecting portions 76. These frame members have welded to the connecting portion 76 two rods 77 and to the legs 75 two elongated plates 78. By means of this construction, a trough is formed which receives and supports a number of `bags in folded position and indicated by the reference numeral 80 in Figs. 1 and 2. The plates 78 are formed at their outermost ends with inturned lips 81 which engage the sides of the bags and hold them supported in the magazine. The magazine is supported by means of a vertical shaft 82 which is welded to the connecting portion 76 of frame member 73. This shaft is rotatably and slidably mounted in a bearing 83 attached to a tubular standard 84. Standard 84 is mounted on a base 85 and which rests on the floor on which the frame A is disposed. A thumb screw 86 serves to hold the shaft 82 in adjusted position and permits of directing the discharge end of the magazine in a position to discharge the bags to the transfer device E as will be presently described. The magazine D is arranged on an incline, as shown in Fig. 2, and a weight 87 slidable along the rods 77 engages the innermost bag and maintains the outermost bag in contact with the lips 81 to be readily withdrawn from the magazine.

The transfer device E consists of a tubular arm 88 which is attached to a vertical shaft 89. This shaft is journaled in bearings 91 secured to brackets 92 issuing outwardly from and welded to the upright 57. The arm 88 has attached to it a lug 93 which extends outwardly from the rearward side thereof. This lug has pivoted to it a link 94 by means of which the arm 88 may be swung from the position shown in full lines in Fig. l to that `shown in dotted lines. Extending downwardly from the tubular arm 88 is a tubular duct 95. This duct has nipples 96 attached to the same and which carries two suction cups 97. These suction cups are arranged in a vertical plane and are disposed one above the other. The tubular arm 88 is provided with a nipple 98 disposed in proximity to the shaft 89 and to which a hose 99 is attached. Hose 99 is connected to a diaphragm type valve 100 which in turn is connected to a shut-off valve 101 and which in turn is connected to an air cleaner 102. This cleaner is connected by means of a pipe 103 to a source of air under vacuum. The valve 100 is operated by means of a solenoid 104.

The arm 88 is operated by means of the following construction: Attached to the diagonal frame members 63 and 64 of auxiliary frame 56 are two bearings 105 and in which is rotatably mounted a vertical shaft 106. This shaft has attached to the upper end of it a crank 107 which is provided with a crank pin 108. Pivotcd to this crank pin is the link 94 previously referred to and which as stated is pivoted to the lug 93 formed on the arm 88. As the shaft 106 rotates, the arrn 88 is shifted from the full line position shown in Fig. l to the dotted line position and back again.

For the purpose of opening the bags, the device F is employed, which consists of a nozzle 234 disposed above the magazine D and the bag removed therefrom and positioned for disposition in the chute C. This nozzle is connected to a pipe 235 which in turn is connected to a source of air under pressure. An adjusting valve 236 permits of controlling the stream of air leaving said nozzle while a shut-off valve 237 in said pipe permits of shutting ofi the air when the machine is not operating. The stream of air from the nozzle 234 is continuous and is directed against the overlying portions of the bag and serves merely to separate the same to permit of thereafter fully opening the bag. The bag opening and discharge device F further includes another nozzle 238 which is connected to a diaphragm valve 239 and which is operated by means of a solenoid 241. The valve 239 is connected by means of a pipe 242 to the pipe 235 and which has mounted in it a manually operated valve 243. Nozzle 238 is large in comparison to the nozzle 234 and supplies a blast of air when the valve 239 is operated which enters the bag and blows the same open and at the same time discharges it hrough the chute C and between two of the bag holders l4.

The shaft 106 is driven in the following manner: Mountid for rotation is a vertical shaft 122. This shaft is ournaled in bearings 123 bolted to brackets 124 which n turn are secured to the transverse frame member 117 lnd the leg 110 of the frame A. A sprocket wheel 153 is lttached to shaft 106. Passing over this sprocket wheel is t chain 157 which also passes over another sprocket wheel l60 rotatably mounted on the shaft 122. This sprocket vheel is driven by a one-revolution clutch 158 mounted )n the shaft 122 and acting between said `shaft and the .procket wheel 160. Rigidly mounted on the shaft 122 is mother sprocket wheel 159. A chain 161 passes over his sprocket wheel, a second sprocket wheel 162 rigidly nounted on shaft 131 and an idler sprocket wheel 163 otatably mounted on a shaft 164 and which is journaled n a bearing 165. This bearing is slidably attached to he longitudinal frame member 120 and serves to take 1p the slack in the chain 161. By means of this con- ;truction, both shafts 131 and 122 are continuously driven tvhile the motor 138 is in operation.

The one-revolution clutch 152 is shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. This clutch consists of a rotary plate 166 which is attached to the pinion 129 and which rotates freely with said pinion on the shaft 131. A collar 167 an said Shaft restrains longitudinal movement of said Jinion and plate on the shaft. Mounted on the shaft 131 and above the plate 166 is a ratchet wheel 168 which is teyed to said shaft. This wheel is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the plate 166 so that the outer marginal portion 169 of said plate is exposed. Pivoted to the marginal portion 169 of plate 166 by means of a pin 171 attached thereto is a pawl 172. This pawl is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 168 and to form a driving connection between the shaft 131 and the spur pinion 129. A leaf spring 173 attached at one end to the marginal portion 169 of plate 166 engages a finger 174 on the end of said pawl and urges the pawl into engage ment with said ratchet wheel.

The onerevolution clutch 152 is operated by means of a bell crank 17S having an upstanding arm 176 and a horizontal arm 177. The said bell crank is pivoted to a bolt 178 which is secured to a bracket 179 overlying the transverse frame member 121 of the frame A. Bolts 181 pass through slots 182 in said bracket and through the frame member 121 and hold the bell crank 175 in proper position. The finger 174 of pawl 172, when the pawl is engagement with the ratchet wheel 168, projects outwardly beyond the periphery of the plate 177 and is so held by the spring 174. Rotatably mounted on the end of the arm 177 is a roller 182 which, when the bell crank 175 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, lies in the path of movement of said finger, and when the linger comes in engagement therewith is shifted to disengage the pawl 172 from the ratchet wheel 168. A tension coil spring 180 urges the bell crank 175 in the position shown in Fig. 4.

The one-revolution clutch 158 which is mounted on shaft 122 is constructed in the same manner as the clutch 152 and is best shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This clutch consists of a disc 183 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 122. This disc is secured to the sprocket wheel 160 and both said sprocket wheel and disc rotate freely with reference to said shaft. Mounted on the end of the shaft is a ratchet wheel 184 which is keyed to the shaft. The disc 183 has pivoted to it a pawl 185 which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 184. A leaf spring 186, also attached to the disc 183, urges the pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel. The pawl 185 has a finger 187 extending outwardly therefrom and which is adapted to be engaged by a roller 188. This roller is mounted on a bell crank 190 which is pivoted by means of a pintle 191 to a bracket 192 fast on the auxiliary frame 56. The roller 188 is adapted to be disposed in the path of travel of the finger 187 and when said roller er1- gages the fingers the pawl is withdrawn from engagement with the ratchet wheel 184. The bell crank has a depending arm 193 and a spring 194 acting between this arm and the bracket 192 urges the bell crank 190 into its position in which the roller 188 may engage the nger 187.

The doors 55 have issuing outwardly from them lugs 301 and which have pivoted to them cables 302. These cables are in turn pivoted to one end of a lever 303. This lever is mounted for swinging mofvement on a stud 304 issuing outwardly from a bracket 305 which is secured to the frame 56. The lower end 306 of lever 303 lies in the path of movement of the bag holders 44 and when one of these bag holders engages said lever the doors 55 are opened. The parts are arranged so that the doors open as the conveyor B moves the bag deposited between said holders out of the chute C.

Forming a part of the transfer device E is a swinging reticulate gate 307. This gate is carried by a hinge pin 308 mounted in a bracket 309 attached to frame 56. An arm 310 issues outwardly from said gate and has pivoted to it a link 311. This link in turn is pivoted to one arm 312 of a lever 313. Lever 313 is pivoted through a pin 314 to a bracket 315 attached to the frame member 63 of frame 56. The other arm 316 of said lever has mounted on it a cam follower 317 which engages a cam 318 mounted on the shaft 106. A compression coil spring 219 acting between the lever 313 and a part xed relative to frame 56 urges the follower 317 into engagement with cam 318. As the shaft 106 rotates to swing the arm 88 to withdraw a bag, cam 318 moves the gate 307 out of the way. As the bag moves into position above chute C, the gate 318 follows and when it comes to rest forms an end wall for limiting tfhe expansion of the bag by the air blast to rectangular orm.

Both the one-revolution clutches 152 and 158 are op erated from a single solenoid 195 which is supported on a bracket 196 attached to a transverse frame member 197 forming part of the frame A. This solenoid has a shaft 198 extending outwardly therefrom and which is adapted to be turned a fraction of a turn when the solenoid is operated. The shaft 198 has attached to it a lever 200 which has an upstanding arm 201 and a downwardly extending arm 202. Pivoted to the arm 202 is a link 203 which is also pivoted to the arm 176 of the bell crank 175. In a similar manner, a link 204 is pivoted to the upstanding arm 201 of lever 200 and to the depending arm 193 of bell crank 190. Actuation of the solenoid 195 causes counterclockwise movement of the shaft 198, as viewed in Fig. 6, and which causes both the rollers 182 and 188 to be raised out of the paths of movement of lingers 174 and 187 of the one-revolution clutches 152 and 158.

Mounted on the shaft 106 are two cams 210 and 211. The cam 210 is adapted to engage a roller 219 rotatably mounted on the arm 212 of a switch 213. Switch 213 is mounted on bracket 289 carried by frame 56. Cam 211 similarly engages a roller 229 rotatably mounted on the arm 214 of a switch 215. Switch 215 is likewise mounted on a bracket 290 attached to frame 56. The switch 213 has a single switch unit 216 which is normally open. The switch 215 has two switch units 217 and 218. The switch element 217 is normally closed while the switch element 218 is normally open.

Disposed immediately below the chute C is a normally open switch 220. This switch is attached to the underside of the table 15 and has a shaft 221 extending outwardly therefrom. A linger 222 is attached to the shaft 221 and extends through a slot 223 in the table 15 and projects upwardly therefrom. When a bag is discharged through the chute C and between two of the bag holders 44, the bottom of the bag engages the finger 22 and actuates the switch.

coasts For causing the various parts of the packaging machine to operate in proper sequence, an electrical system is employed and of which the wiring diagram is shown in Fig. 9. Power for operating the system is taken from a power line 205 and to which are connected conductors 206 and 207. The conductor 207 is connected to a manually operated starting switch 208 which in turn has connected to it conductors 209 and 223. Operating in conjunction with the switch 213 is a time controlled relay 224 which has two normally closed switch units 225 and 226 and one normally open switch unit 227. The said relay further has a coil 228 by means of which the same is operated. Operating in conjunction with the switch 220 is a relay 230 which has two normally open switch units 231 and 232 and a coil 233 for operating the same. For controlling the valves 100 and 239 two time controlled switches 244 and 245 are employed. The switch 244 includes a normally closed switch unit 246 and a normally open switch unit 247. Switch 24S consists of a single normally closed switch unit 248. The two switches 244 and 245 are operated by means of a relay 250. This relay includes a normally open switch unit 251 and a coil 252. The said relay has mechanism by means of which both the switches 244 and 245 are simultaneously operated. Such construction being well known in the art, has not been shown in detail in the drawings and has merely been illustrated diagrammatically.

The conductor 223 connected to switch 208 is connected to the switch unit 225 and to the switch unit 226 of the relay 224. Switch unit 226 is connected by means of a conductor 253 to switch 213 which in turn is connected by a conductor 254 to the coil 228 of relay 224. This coil is `directly connected to the conductor 206 leading from the line 205. The switch unit 227 of relay 224 is connected by means of conductors 255 and 256 to the conductors 253 and 254 so as to shunt the switch 213. Switch unit 225 is connected by means of a conductor 257 to the conductor 223 and by means of a conductor 258 to the switch unit 232 of relay 230. Said switch unit is further connected by means of a conductor 259 to the coil 261 of solenoid 195. Said solenoid is further connected by means of a conductor 262 to the conductor 206. The switch unit 231 of the relay 230 is connected by means of a conductor 263 to the switch 220 which in turn is connected by a conductor 264 to switch unit 217 of switch 215. This switch unit is in turn connected by a conductor 265 to the conductor 209. The other side of the switch unit 231 is connected by means of a conductor 267 to conductor 264 so that switch unit 231 shunts the switch 220. The coil 233 of relay 230 is connected by means of a conductor 268 to thc conductor 263. The said coil is further connected by a conductor 269 to the conductor 206. The other switch unit 218 of switch 215 is connected by means of a conductor 271 to the conductor 209. In addition, said switch unit is connected by means of a conductor 272 to the switch unit 248 of switch 245. This switch unit is further connected by means of a conductor 273 to the coil 252 of relay 250. Said coil is in turn connected by means of a conductor 274 to the conductor 206. The switch unit 218 of switch 215 is shunted by a manually operable switch 275 which is connected by means of a conductor 276 to the conductor 271. This switch is also connected by means of a conductor 277 to the conductor 272. The solenoid 104 operating valve 100 is connected by means of a conductor 278 to conductor 206 and by means of another conductor 279 to the switch unit 246. This switch unit is in turn connected by conductor 281 to the conductor 209. Solenoid 241 is similarly connected by means of a conductor 282 to the conductor 206 and by means of another conductor 283 to the switch unit 247 of switch 244. This switch unit is again connected by means of a conductor 285 to the conductor 209. Switch unit 251 is connected by means of a conductor 286 to conductor 209 and by means of a conductor 287 to conductor 277. The motor 138 is connected to a suitable source of electrical energy by means of a line not shown which contains a motor starting switch operated independently of the control circuit of the invention. This switch is manually operated and the motor functions continuously throughout the operation of the machine.

The operation of the invention is as follows: The switch controlling the motor 138 is first closed and which merely energizes the motor. The motor runs continuously throughout the openation of the machine. As soon as the motor is up to speed, switch 208 is closed and which energizes the entire control circuit. To start the cycle there must be an empty bag in position on the conveyor B pressing the finger 222 on switch 220. At this time a circuit is established from the conductor 207 of line 205 through switch 208, through conductor 209, through conductor 265, the closed switch unit 217 of switch 215, through conductor 264, switch 220, conduc tor 263, conductor 268, the coil 233 of relay 230, and the conductor 269 to the conductor 206 of the line 205. It is assumed that the one-revolution clutch 158 is in disengaged position and the cam 211 is free from `the arm 214 of switch 215 and switch unit 217 left closed. Upon completion of the circuit, relay 230 is actuated and both switch units 231 `and 232 are closed. Switch 231 forms a maintaining circuit paralleling the switch 220 and keeps the circuit through the coil 233 of relay 230 closed. The closing of switch unit 232 completes a circuit including the conductor 206 of line 205, conductor 262, the solenoid 19S, conductor 259, switch unit 232, conductor 258, the closed switch unit 225 of relay 224, the conductor 257, the conductor 223, switch 208, and conductor 207 of line 205. This actuates the solenoid 195 which swings lever 200 moving the links 2-03 and 204 in unison. This raises the rollers 182 and 188 out of engagement with the pawls 172 and 185 causing the said pawls to engage the ratchet wheels 168 and 184 and effecting drives for the pinion 129 and the sprocket wheel 160. The pinion 129 drives the shaft 25 and the conveyor B advances the bag holders 44 one step placing the next bag holder beneath the chute C. While this takes place, the shaft 122 being driven by the shaft 106 drives said shaft one revolution and crank 107 likewise makes a single revolution. During the revolution of this shaft and while the conveyor B is traveling, the arm 88 of transfer device E moves from its position above the chute C and toward the magazine D bringing the suction cups 97 into engagement with the last bag in said magazine. Switch 244 is so timed that the same drops out prior to the suction cups reaching the bag magazine D. The switch unit 246 is hence closed and a circuit through solenoid 104 is established. This circuit includes conductors 209 and 281, switch unit 246. conductor 279, solenoid 104 and conductors 278 and 206. Valve 100 is hence open and suction occurs at the suction cups 97. As soon as the cups reach the last bag in the magazine, the same is picked up and removed therefrom. As the shaft continues to rotate, the bag which is picked up by the suction cups is delivered to a position above the chute C. During rotation of shaft 106, cam 210 actuates the switch 213 and closes switch unit 216. A circuit is now established which energizes the relay 224. This circuit includes conductor 206, coil 228 of relay 224, conductor 254, switch unit 216, conductor 253, switch unit 226, conductor 223, switch 208 and conductor 207 of line 205. Another circuit is now established which shunts switch unit 216. This circuit may be traced through the conductor 254, conductor 256, switch unit 227 of relay 224, conductor 255 and conductor 253, back to the switch unit 216. Switch unit 226 is of course not opened until relay 224 is fully energized. Relay 224 is a time controlled relay and the said relay is maintained operated for a predetermined acoger me. At the instant relay 224 is actuated, switch unit l is opened, and the circuit energizing the coil 261 E solenoid 125 is likewise opened. This deenergizes re solenoid 195 and the two rollers 182 and 188 are loved back to the positions shown in full lines in Figs. and 8 by means of the springs 180 and 194 so that te rollers are in position to engage the fingers 174 and 87 of the one-revoltuion clutches 152 and 158. When tid rollers engage said fingers, pawls 172 and 185 be- :me disengaged from ratchet wheels 168 `and 184 and iid clutches terminate movement of the shafts and 06 upon completion of a revolution of said shafts. 'hese one-revolution clutches cannot again operate until clay 224 has timed out and reset itself by opening switch nit 227 to drop out its coil 228. As the bag pick-up rm l88 swings toward the supply of bags actuated by he one-revolution clutch 158, the cam 211 operates Witch 215 completing a circuit including conductor 209, onnected to conductor 207 through switch 208, conducor 271, switch unit 218 of switch 215, conductor 272, witch unit 248 of relay 245, coil 252 of relay 250, :onductor 274 and conductor 206, forming the other ide of the power line 205. This switch energizes relay Z50 which closes .switch unit 251. Switch unit 251 shunts twitch unit 218 of switch 215 and provides a holding :ircuit for switch 218 including conductors 286 and 287. th switches 244 and 245 are simultaneously operated )y relay 250 and being time controlled remain in operated aosition for predetermined lengths of time before return- .ng to,V normal. As soon as switch 245 is operated, switch .mit 248 opens and relay 250 drops out, the circuit including the coil 252 of said relay also containing switch unit 248. The operation of switch 244 closes a circuit which includes conductor '209, conductor 285, switch unit 247, conductor 283, the solenoid 241, conductor 282 and conductor 206. This operates valve 239 and a blast of air blows into the partly opened bag. At the same time, the circuit through solenoid 104 is opened. This circuit inculdes conductors 209, 281, switch unit 246, conductor 279, said solenoid, conductor 278 and conductor 206. Thus the valve 100 controlling the suction at cups 97 is substantially simultaneously released with the production ofthe blast which discharges the bag picked up, through the chute C and onto the table 15 and with in the bag holder 44 of conveyor B directly below said chute. The bag in descending engages the finger 222 of switch 220 and closes the same. As soon as the relay 224 and switches 244 and 245 have timed out, the circuits become reset and the cycle is automatically repeated. In the event no bag is deposited in the chute C, switch 220 is not operated and the solenoid 195 fails to operate and likewise the conveyor B, the bag transfer device E and the bag opening and discharge device F until a bagis manually opened and inserted in the chute C and switch 220 thus operated. In the event that the machine is stopped While the switch 215 is in operated position, manually controlled switch 275 `may be closed to complete the cycle. It will be understood that the relays, solenoids and switches have springs that return them to normal position.

While the timed controlled relays are timing out, the bags may be filled with the material to be packaged by means of any suitable filling device such as indicated at G in Fig. 2. One such filling device is illustrated in Patent No. 2,548,222 to Kindseth. Of, if desired, the bags may be manually filled.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The machine is positive in action and will operate on satchel bottom bags. By means of the time controlled relays employed, the timing may be varied to permit of filling the bags slowly or rapidly as the occasion demands. In the event that all of the bags in the magazine are delivered the operation of the machine ceases. ln the movement of the bags the same are firmly gripped in the bag holders and conveyed in such position. Opening of the bags is 10 procured by air and not by mechanical fingers whos action has been found to be unreliable.

Changes in the specific form of the invention, as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

l. In a packaging machine for use with flat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, a number of parallel vertical shafts, circular rotary members mounted on said shafts, an endless carrier extending about said members, arms extending outwardly from said carrier at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals to form bag receiving spaces therebetween, bag holders on said arms and having oppositely facing vertical V-shaped grooves, one groove on each holder and the facing groove on the adjoining holder defining said spaces, said arms diverging as the carrier passes about said members, and means for opening and depositing the bags in said spaces as the carrier passes about certain of said members with the folds thereof extending into the corners of said grooves.

2. In a packaging machine for use with flat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, a number of parallel vertical shafts, circular rotary members mounted on said shafts, an endless carrier extending about said members, arms extending outwardly from said carrier at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals to form bag receiving spaces therebetween, bag holders on said arms and having oppositely facing vertical V-shaped grooves, one groove on each holder and the facing groove on the adjoining holder defining said spaces, and means for opening and depositing the bags in said spaces with the folds thereof extending into the corners of said grooves.

3. In a packaging machine for use with liat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, a number of parallel vertical shafts, circular rotary members mounted on said shafts, an endless carrier extending about said members, arms extending outwardly from said carrier at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals to form bag receiving spaces therebetween, bag holders on said arms and having oppositcly facing vertical V-shaped grooves, one groove on cach holder and the facing groove on the adjoining holder defining said spaces, and means for depositing said bags with the folds at the corners of said grooves. p

4. ln a 'packaging machine for use with liat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, a number `of parallel vertical shafts, circular rotary members mounted on said shafts, an endless carrier extending about said members, arms extending outwardly from said carrier at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals to form bag receiving spaces therebetween, bag holders on said arms and having oppositely facing vertical V-shaped grooves, one groove on each holder and the facing groove on the adjoining holder defining said spaces, said arms diverging as the carrier passes about said members, and means for opening and depositing said bags in said spaces when the arms are in divergent position.

5. In apackaging machine for use with flat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel, longitudinally spaced bag holders carried by said carrier to form bag receiving spaces therebetween, said bag holders having oppositely facing vertical V-shaped grooves therein, one groove on each holder and the facing groove on the adjoining holder defining said spaces, and means for opening and depositing the bags in said spaces.

6. In a packaging machine for use with fiat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel, longitudinally spaced bag holders carried 1 1 by said carrier, a chute disposed above said bag holders, a folded bag magazine disposed adjacent said chute, transfer means operating between said magazine and chute and transferring the folded bags from said magazine to said chute, an air nozzle disposed above said chute and directing air into the bags to open the same and a second nozzle of greater capacity than said first nozzle disposed above said chute and directing a sucient volume of air into the bags to discharge the bags from said chute and into conveying position with reference to said bag holders.

7. In a packaging machine for use with flat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel, longitudinally spaced bag holders carried by said carrier, a chute disposed above said bag holders, a folded bag magazine disposed adjacent said chute, transfer means operating between said magazine and chute and transferring the folded bags from said magazine to said chute, spaced air nozzles disposed above said chute and directing air into said bags at the sides thereof to open the same, and a second nozzle of greater capacity than said first named nozzles and disposed between the same, said last named nozzle directing a sufficient volume of air into the bags to discharge the bags from said transfer means through said chute and into conveying position with reference to said bag holders.

8. In a packaging machine for use with at tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel, longitudinally spaced bag holders carried by said carrier a chute disposed above said bag holders, a folded bag magazine disposed adjacent said chute, transfer means including a swinging arm having at the end thereof a suction head means adapted to bring said head into contact with the last bag in said magazine and to transfer it toward said chute to deliver the bags to the chute, an air nozzle disposed above said chute and directing air into the bags to open the same and a second nozzle of greater capacity than said t`1rst nozzle disposed above said chute and directing a suflicient volume of air into the bags to discharge the bags from said chute and into conveying position with reference to said bag holders.

9. In a packaging machine for use with flat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel, arms extending outwardly from said carrier and spaced longitudinally from one another, said arms having oppositely facing V-shaped notches therein with the reentrant angles thereof facing outwardly, V-shaped plates received in said notches and secured to said arms, said plates being disposed with their reentrant angles outermost and with their vertexes parallel, and means for opening and depositing the bags in between the plates of the adjacent longitudinally spaced arms.

l0. In a packaging machine for use with flat tube satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, a number of parallel vertical shafts, upper and lower spaced sprocket wheels mounted on said shafts, the upper sprocket wheels being confined to one plane and the lower sprocket wheels to another plane spaced from and parallel to said first plane, an endless chain passing about said upper sprocket wheels, another endless chain passing about the lower sprocket wheels, arms extending outwardly from both of said chains and equally spaced from one another, the arms on the upper chain overlying the arms on the lower chain, said arms each having oppositely facing V-shaped notches therein with the reentrant angles thereof facing outwardly, the notches in the upper arms registering with the notches in the lower arms, V-shaped plates received in said notches and secured to the corresponding upper and lower arms, the reentrant angles of said plates facing outwardly and the vertexes thereof being parallel, and means for opening the bags and depositing them between said plates.

l1. In a packaging machine for use with Hat tube Satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel and including a rotary member having a vertical axis, longitudinally spaced bag holders carried by said carrier, a chute disposed above said bag holders and at the locality of said rotary member and having a wall structure extending down to said bag holders, said chute having a substantially vertically extending passageway therethrough, said wall structure `having an opening therein facing in the direction of travel of said carrier, and through which an opened bag deposited in said chute and into conveying position with reference to said carrier may pass as the carrier progresses, means for opening and delivering the bags into the passageway in said chute and into conveying position with reference to said carrier, a door hinged to said wall structure and closing said opening while a bag is being delivered into said chute and means for closing the door when the bag is being delivered into said chute.

l2. In a packaging machine for use with flat tube Satchel bottom bags having single folds at the sides thereof, an endless carrier, means for supporting said carrier for circuitous travel, longitudinally spaced bag holders carried by said carrier, a chute disposed above said bag holders, a folded bag magazine disposed adjacent said chute, transfer means including a swinging arm, a suction head at the end of said arm movable from a position adjacent said magazine to a position adjacent said chute and adapted to withdraw the outermost bag from the magazine and transfer it to a position above said chute, an air nozzle disposed above said chute and directing air into the bags to open the same and a second nozzle of greater capacity than said first nozzle disposed above said chute and directing a sulcient volume of air into the bags to discharge the bags from said chute and into conveying position with reference to said bag holders, a movable gate disposed opposite said suction head in position adjacent said chute, and spaced from said suction head, said suction head and gate limiting the expansion of the bags in a direction normal to said carrier, and means periodically swinging said gate out of the path of movement of said arm and suction head when the arm is moved from one of its final positions to the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,585,335 McHale et al Feb. l2, 1952 

